YTSK - Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

 

YTSK - Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

• Private ticket booking counters authorized by Indian Railways to issue reserved and unreserved tickets through the PRS (Passenger Reservation System).

🔹 Key Features:

• Purpose: To expand ticketing facilities through authorized private agents beyond railway premises.
  
  

• Operated by: Registered individuals/firms/companies approved by zonal railways.

💰 Financial Requirements:

Particular	Amount
Registration Fee	₹2 lakh (one-time, non-refundable)
System Access Charges	₹1.6 lakh per terminal per annum
Security Deposit	₹1 lakh per terminal (up to ₹5 lakh max)
Revenue Sharing	25% of service charge to YTSK
Service Charges	₹30 (SL/2S), ₹40 (AC classes) per ticket

📆Other Key points:

• Tenure: 3 years (renewable)

• Maximum Terminals per Licensee: 4 (can be increased based on need)

• Working Hours: Generally 08:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

• Ticket Rolls: Supplied free by Railways (distinct color)

•  Counter Setup: Must be outside railway premises

• Training: Mandatory for operators
  

✅ YTSK: Success & Impact on Indian Railways

1. Convenient & Decentralized Ticketing

YTSKs provide PRS (reserved) and UTS (unreserved) ticketing outside station premises, reducing crowding and queue pressure at railway counters.  Ideal for passengers who are not internet-savvy or want to avoid station congestion.

2. Enhanced Passenger Reach

Serves localities and urban/rural areas away from stations, making ticketing more accessible and widespread

3. Balanced System Load

Helps decongest PRS counters, especially in peak periods, while complementing IRCTC website bookings (which already account for 70%+ of reservations) 

4. Private Partnerships with Accountability

Operated under strict licensing and monitoring to prevent misuse—Railways can disable terminals immediately if malpractices occur 

Advantages: 

• 🕒 Extended Hours: YTSK counters often operate longer than traditional PRS counters (e.g., 8:30 am–10 pm vs. 8 am–8 pm)
  
  

• 🎟️ Inclusive Access: Serves passengers without internet access or those unfamiliar with online booking.
  
  

• 💼 Public–Private Model: Enables more centers via PPP, increasing availability of booking counters even beyond station premises.
  
  

Disadvantages:

• 💰 Higher Charges: YTSKs levy service charges (₹30 for Sleeper/2S, ₹40 for AC), which are higher than standard PRS counters
  
  

• 🎯 Tatkal Disadvantage: Tatkal bookings open later than railway counters or IRCTC, leading to disadvantage during high-demand periods
  
  

• 💸 High Entry Barriers: Aspiring licensees must meet financial commitments—₹1.6 L system access per terminal, ₹2–5 L deposit, and ₹2–5 L registration fee depending on circulars and modifications.
  
  

• 🧾 Limitations on Service: Cannot issue concession tickets (except for senior citizens), no block booking, and limited cancellation ability (I
  
  

🚆 Final Word

YTSKs have helped decongest station counters, extended ticket booking hours, and brought railway ticketing closer to communities. They serve as a reliable option for users outside major stations, especially those uncomfortable with online booking. However, they come with higher charges, operational conditions, and limitations compared to direct PRS or IRCTC booking methods.

Key Points Summary: 

1. YTSK stands for Yatri Ticket Suvidha Kendra

2. Registration Fees : Rs. 2 Lakhs (One Time, Non Refundable)

3. System Access Charges Rs. 1.6 Lakhs per Terminal per Annum

4. Security Deposit: Rs. 1 Lakh per Terminal (up to Rs. Lakh maximum)

5. Revenue sharing: 25% of Service charge to YTSK

6. Service Charges Rs. 30 per Ticket (Non AC), Rs. 40 Per Ticket (AC)

7. Tenure: 3 Years 

8. Working hours: 8 AM to 10 PM

End

Fly Ash / Bed Ash Loading - Freight Incentive schemes

 

Fly Ash / Bed Ash Loading 

Introduction and Background

The Railway Board has introduced a revised Freight Incentive Scheme specifically targeting the loading of Fly Ash and Bed Ash. 

Authority: CC No. 09 & 95 of 2020 and CC No. 219 of 2024 

Objective: 

The core objective of this scheme is to encourage additional loading of Fly Ash and Bed Ash and to enhance the utilization of rolling stock by offering targeted freight incentives.

                                            Fly Ash / Bed Ash Loading - Discount 

Type of Rolling Stock	Rate of Concession	Packing condition
Open Wagons	40% Discount on NTR of applicable classes	Bagged or Bulk or loose
Flat Wagons	40% Discount on NTR of applicable classes	Bagged only
Covered Wagons	To be charged at NTR of Class LR 1	Bagged only

Applicability Conditions

The 40% discount is applicable only when the entire rake is released, unloaded, emptied, and then back loaded at the same terminal. 

If empty rakes are supplied from other terminals, the discount is limited to 20% only.

Floor Rate Policy

There will be no floor rate for concessions under this scheme. The applicable chargeable freight will reflect the full discount of 40% or 20% on the NTR of the respective class.

Permitted Terminals

The scheme is applicable to all terminals, ensuring wide coverage and implementation flexibility.

Concurrent Concession

The following can be availed simultaneously:
- Freight concessions for traffic moving to/from the North East Region.

- In case of traffic booked in the TEFD (Traditional Empty Flow Directions) stream, the lower of the two NTRs will be charged.

Lead Restriction

There will be no restriction on the lead distance, giving flexibility to shippers.

Processing Procedure

Customers need not apply separately to avail these concessions. The benefit will be automatically granted via TMS (Terminal Management System), depending on the features of the scheme.

Key points for MCQ - Loading of Fly Ash / Bed Ash:

1. In Open Wagons - 40% discount on NTR - Packing condition is bulk or loose or bagged 

2. In Flat Wagons - 40% discount on NTR - Packing condition is Bagged only 

3. In covered Wagons - charged at class NTR of LR 1 - Packing condition is Bagged only 

4. NTR stands for Normal Tariff Rate

5. Applicable for all terminals

6. Discount is limited to 20%, if empty rakes are supplied from other terminals

7. No lead restriction

8. Concurrent concession available for freight to and from for North East region

9. In case of TEFD, the lower of two NTRs will be charged

10. TEFD stands for Traditional Empty Flow Direction

11. TMS stands for Terminal Management System

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PTO - Preferential Traffic Order 2025-26

PTO - Preferential Traffic Order   

• Source: The PTO General Order No. 99  (for allotment of Wagons) w.e.f 01.04.2025. Unless canceled earlier, it will remain in force up to 31st March 2026 Please click for RB letter

• Section 70 of the Railways Act, 1989 - First comes first to serve - Basis for Booking and transportation of Goods.  No priority or No preference  

 

• Section 71 of Railway Act, 1989 - Orders are issued by Central Government to Railways Administration from time to time - For giving priority or preference to booking and transportation of particular types of commodities in the interest of the Nation / Public in General or for Industrial Development. 

 

• PTO - Preferential Traffic Order - Published by the Central Govt in Gazette and informed the Railway Administration.  

 

• PTO validity - 1 Year.  

 

• The priority route is decided and Goods are carried by that route only

  

General Instructions:  

 

•  Block Rake traffic is preferred over Peice-meal Traffic. 

 

•  Traffic will have preference over other Traffic within the same class of Priority in the following order: 

 

1.      Traffic guaranteed under special Schemes 

2.      Traffic in rakes loaded from the Good shed of the station having round the clock working

3.      Traffic booked from Full rake handling siding having mechanized loading facility.

4.      Traffic offered for distance of more than 600 Kms within the same classification  

5.      Single Point Block rakes over two-point / multipoint mini rakes  

6.      Wednesday & Saturday shall be reserved and notified for allotment of rakes as per the ODR - Date of Registration irrespective of the class of priority.   

7.      Monday & Friday will be  nominated two days for according higher priority to traffic covered under Premium Indent Scheme

 

•  Any Traffic under special orders of the Ministry of Railways (Railway Board) / Zonal Railways 

Priority	Traffic
A	Military Traffic sponsored by MILRAIL and approved by the Railway Board
B	Emergency Relief works (for natural calamities like floods, drought, earthquakes etc)  - Sponsored by an Officer, not below the rank of Dy.Secretary of Central / State Government or by a Non-Government Organisation. All Food grains except quota traffic notified by the Railway Board.  Levy Sugar for PDS - Public Distribution System & other welfare programs sponsored by FCI - Food Corporation of India / State Govts or their agencies approved by the Railway Board. Proposals for sponsorship of any other commodity by a Central Govt agency  will require specific approval of the Railway Board.
C	1	Coal	i) Sponsoring authority is Public Sector Coal - Accepting authority is ED/RM, Kolkata for ER, ECR, SER, SECR & ECoR  ii) Sponsoring authority is Private coal companies - Accepting authority is COM/CFTM of other Zonal Railways iii) Sponsoring authority is Coal Importers - Accepting authority is PCOM/CFTM of respective Zonal Railways
	2	Iron Ore	Sub - Priority	Traffic Type
			C +	From Customer’s own private siding to his own private siding at unloading end of for domestic manufacturer
			C	One end to other end, the Customer is having his own private siding at either end for domestic manufacture
			C -	One end to the other end, the Customer not owned by him at both ends.
	3	Other than 1 & 2	i) Non - refined Edible Salt - For the States of West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim & Tripura  - Sponsored by the respective State Governments .  For the other States  - The Sponsored by Salt Commissioner & Accepted by the Zonal Railways (Amendment 2 to GO.98 dated 02.08.2024) ii) Common Salt to approved iodization plants - For the States of West Bengal, Assam, Sikkim & Tripura  - Sponsored by the respective State Governments .  For the other States  - The Sponsored by Salt Commissioner & Accepted by the Zonal Railways (Amendment 2 to GO.98 dated 02.08.2024)   iii) Fertilizer - Sponsored by Fertilizer manufacturers / Importers  - Accepted by the Zonal Railways    iv) POL - Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants - Sponsored by Oil companies - Accepted by the Railway Board
D	All other Traffic not included in A, B & C

 

Key points for MCQ 

 

1. PTO stands for Preferential Traffic Order 
2. PTO validity - 1 Year   
3. PTO - Issued by Central Govt and published in Gazette
4. No of Priorities under PTO - 4 
5. MIL RAIL - Military wing of the Railways  (Office at Sena Bhawan, Army Hqrs) 
6. Railways Act - Year 1989 (The First act in 1890)
7. PDS stands for Public Distribution System 
8. RMS stands for Raw Material for Steel plants 
9. POL stands for Petroleum, Oil, & Lubricants 
10. ED/RM - Executive Director Rail Movement
11. SCO stands for Salt Commissioner Organization - Hqrs - Jaipur
12. Salt Commissioner is working under DPIIT 
13. DPIIT stands for Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (Ministry of Commerce & Industry)
14. Wednesday and Saturday are fixed for allotment of Rakes as per the date of registration, irrespective of the class of priority. 
15. Monday and Friday will be nominated two days for higher priority to traffic covered under Premium Indent Scheme.

 

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